MANILA, Philippines ? With Influenza A (H1N1) VIRUS now present in 40 countries it?s hard not to ignore that this new flu strain that already infected around 10,000 individuals and killed close to a hundred could, at any moment, reach our shores.

Indeed, the ease of today?s global travel has created an environment ripe for the quick spread of infectious diseases such as the A (H1N1) flu virus.

Thanks to a fast and efficient air travel, an infected person from Brazil or United Kingdom is never too far from the Philippines.

The country?s health officials are not taking chances as they keep a watchful eye on people coming in at airports, particularly those with symptoms of fever and even those who would later report of developing flu-like symptoms.

On Thursday evening, the Department of Health confirmed that a 10-year-old girl from the United States who arrived earlier this week, was the Philippines? first confirmed case of the virus.

Scary

?What makes the A (H1N1) virus a bit scary is the fact that it?s new and there is no vaccine currently available that could effectively deal with it. But this does not mean we?re helpless,? said Doctor Shelley dela Vega, a member of the Asia-Pacific advisory council on influenza.

Dela Vega who is also a faculty at National Institutes of Health at the University of the Philippines-Manila reiterated that the A(H1N1) virus was not as deadly as initially feared and that the majority of those who got infected were able to get through, thanks to the proper management of their symptoms.

?While it?s true that there is no vaccine available yet, treating an infection caused by the A (H1N1) virus would be similar to treating one downed by a regular seasonal flu virus, that is, bringing down the fever, drinking lots of fluids, taking cough suppressants or decongestants if necessary, and more importantly, eating highly nutritious foods. This should keep the patient from developing deadly complications, which is the goal dealing with flu,? suggested Doctor Sylvia Yang, president of Philippine College of Chest Physicians.

Both doctors believe taking the annual flu shot is most helpful as this minimizes the chance of being infected with both the regular seasonal flu strains and the A (H1N1), which could be overwhelming to one?s immune system.

Peak expected

?Considering that the peak of flu season is expected to occur this June, getting the shot would reduce the possibility of regular seasonal flu strains and A (H1N1) mixing in the person?s body, a situation that could give birth to a new and even more deadlier strain,? Yang explained.

Moreover, health experts are also advising those over 50, with chronic medical conditions, cigarette smokers, and those with weak immune systems to take pneumococcal shot (the pneumococcal vaccine available protects against 23 serotypes) because pneumonia is a major serious complication during flu outbreak and in past pandemics.

A quick and easy way to help control the spread of the virus would be staying home from work or school or covering one?s nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.

?Just like controlling the spread of regular seasonal flu, frequent washing of hands and other good hygiene practices could help a lot. But for those with more severe flu symptoms like if there is already difficulty in breathing, one should immediately go to a hospital (preferably the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Alabang, Muntinlupa City) for proper diagnosis and treatment,? Yang suggested. With INQUIRER.net